RIVA Construction Nearing Top Off; Timing “Perfect” for Local Downsizers

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

As Riva developer Bradley Deckelbaum puts it: “Many of our buyers from Weston and other local communities are now telling us the timing of Riva’s completion and their plans to sell their home and move at the end of the school year are a perfect coincidence.”

Couples downsizing from big suburban homes are typical of many current Riva buyers, and more of them are arriving at the Las Olas sales center every week.

The common themes, says Deckelbaum, are “live on the water” and “live in the city”. Because Riva provides both, it only gets better when prospective buyers see Riva’s big, comfortably sized homes with true indoor-outdoor living and the carefree, resort lifestyle they are also looking for.

“Now that Riva is more than halfway built up, we can show them their real ocean views and the 400 feet of riverfront that is their private backyard,” Deckelbaum says. “They get a feeling for how the Riva boat docks and watersports center will give them at-your-door access to boating, paddle boarding, kayaking and water skiing. And they also see our private water taxi will take them across the river for tennis in the park or lunch at Galleria Mall. They can stand right where their lap pool will overlook the river and where they can watch the sun set over the city skyline. And they understand how our spectacular River Club gives them the gym, the spa, the guest cabanas and all the other extras they’ve never had at home.”

Now that Riva has passed several construction milestones, buyers have begun to focus on the development’s unique end unit designs. “They are the homes designed for people who want plenty of space to entertain,” says Grant Lundberg of One Sotheby’s, exclusive broker for Riva. He says that when certain buyers visit the sales office, they gravitate to the end models.

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

"They talk about views that go on forever in every direction, or walking through rooms from a sunrise balcony to a sunset balcony, or grilling from a summer kitchen that looks over the ocean," Lundberg adds. "And there are very few new condo designs that can deliver that."

At Riva, the designers took the entire north and south end on each floor and created a double-sized space that wraps around from east to west. With well over 3,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space, two huge terraces, two horizons and two or three master suites, the units are an ideal residence for couples who love to entertain, and also want room for home offices, dens and guest quarters.

With features like 9-foot ceilings, walls of floor-to-ceiling glass, imported Italian cabinetry, Sub-Zero/Wolf kitchens, gas ranges, sensual wet room master baths and private elevator entry, these condos are top-of-the-line waterfront luxury. And with prices between $1 million to $1.8 million, "these end models may be the best value in the building," Lundberg says. "We wish we had more to sell because now that buyers see construction is well underway, they are making their plans and choices."

The design of The River Club, Riva’s owners-only amenity package, was another out-of-the-box inspiration, notes Deckelbaum.

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

“Riva’s entrance drive is a landscaped boulevard that’s about the length of a football field — from the street back to the river,” he says. “Then it turns under the building to an arrival court with a fountain. From there you walk into a 60-foot wide, glass-walled lobby that leads right to the river.”

“Once we had that,” notes Deckelbaum, “we added an owners’ café and the Riva watersports center. This is where owners can rent or store their kayaks and paddleboards, or even charter a boat to ride down the river. It also manages the boat slips where owners keep their own boats.”

The second and third floors are parking — including private enclosed garages for some owners. “And since we had decided to limit the residences to only 100,” Deckelbaum says, “that left us most of the fourth and fifth floors to play with — and that became the River Club.”

He says that first, developers added a real lap pool over 60 feet long on a huge sundeck overlooking the river. “Then we built-in a glass-walled fitness center that faces the pool, with rooms for yoga or Pilates. There’s also a full spa with treatment and massage rooms, plus an outdoor plunge pool.”

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

Photograph Courtesy of Condo Living

Next to the spa there is a spectacular two-story owners lounge with a bar and outdoor cocktail terrace. And adjacent to that is a collection of fully furnished guest cabanas.

Upstairs is the owners wine room — a private tasting room and cellar. “And then there is my personal favorite: The Cucina,” says Deckelbaum. “It’s a private dining room, chef’s kitchen and party room all rolled into one. The perfect place for 20 or 30 friends to cook together and laugh together. Or bring in your own chef for a special gathering.”

Riva is now being built on the Middle River, just north of Sunrise. Exceptionally large two- and three-bedroom models are offered from the $700s to over $3 million. The off-site sales center is open daily at 1200 E. Las Olas Blvd. For information, visit riva-condo.com, or call exclusive broker One Sotheby’s at 954-233-3288.